Fluid pressure brake equipment



April 1, 19.52 s. L. WILLIAMS EIAL 2,591,224

FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 51, 1948 s Sheets$heet 1 Iigl INVENTORS SamuelL. will iams BY John Z1] Rush ATTOMY April 1, 1952 s. L. WILLIAMS EIAL FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 51, 1948 INVENTORS Samuel Lluilliams BY Jahn w. Rush @aw.

' ATTORNEY Ap 1, 1952 s. 1.. WILLIAMS ET AL 2,591,224

FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 31, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Full Service Runnin use 275 265 his, I

jig. 4

JNVENTORS John ZzlRush Zww.

ATTORAEY' Samuel L. ldillimiw Patented Apr. 1, 1 952 FLUID PRESSURE BRAKE EQUIPMENT Samuel L. Williams, New York, N. Y., and John W. Bush, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assigncrs to Westinghouse Air Brake Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 31, 1948, Serial No. 47,046

44 Claims.

This invention relates to brake equipment for vehicles adapted to be controlled from either end and to be operated individually or in trains, such as subway cars or the like, and more particularly to brake equipment embodying a plurality of different control means.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved brake equipment of the above general type which is relatively light in weight, simple in design and inexpensive.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings; Figs. 1, 2 and 3, when arranged with the right-hand edges of Figs. 1 and 2 matched to the left-hand edges of Figs. 2 and 3, respectively, is a diagrammatic view, partly in section and partly in outline, of a brake equipment embodying the invent-ion; and Fig. 4 is a development view of switch and valve portions of an operator's brake valve device shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Description As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the reference numerals I, l a designate automatic car and air couplers of the usual tight-lock type, such as employed at opposite ends of subway cars, for automatically connecting together adjacent ends of two cars and for at the same time automatically establishing through the couplers fluid pressure communications between pipes on the connected cars, such as a brake pipe 2 and a straight-air pipe 3, in the present instance. Reference numerals 4 and 4a designate electric train wire connectors carried by the couplers l and la, respectively, for automatically connecting train wires on one car to corresponding train wires on another car upon coupling of the coupiers between the cars, the wires involved in the present instance being a brake application wire 5, a brake release wirel, la a dynamic brake wire 8 and an electric supply wire 9. On each car the supply wire 9 may be connected with one pole of an electric battery the other pole of which may be grounded.

Reference numerals ll, Ha designate two uncoupling valves arranged to be located at opposite sides of the car at the end carrying the coupler l and either of which may be operated by a, trainman to supply fluid under pressure from a pipe l2 (hereinafter called a feed valve pipe) to said coupler by way of a pipe 13 for effecting uncoupling operation of said coupler to uncouple it from a connected car. Similar uncoupling valves [4, {4a connected to pipe 12 and adapted to be. located at the opposite sides of the opposite end of the car are connected by a pipe [3a to coupler in for eifectinguncoupling operation thereof.

Further description of the structure so far described and a more detailed showing thereof in the drawings are not deemed essential. in the present application since such structures are so well known generally. Moreover, the specific car, air and electric coupler apparatus adapted for use on cars for which the brake equipment embodying the invention is particularly intended, is fully disclosed in the application of John Canetta and Mortimer B. Cameron, Serial No. 774,398, filed September 16, 1947, now Patent No. 2,553,809, issued May 22, 1951, and assigned to the assignee of the present application, to which reference may be made.

Reference numerals I5, 16, I! and I8 designate electric driving motors for the car and numerals J 9, I911 designate identical motor controller handle devices, one at either end of the car, for controlling through well-known means (not shown) supply of power to the thereby operation of said motors to propel the car, said handle devices being of the usual safety type, as will be explained in greater detail later. The motors l5 to is are adapted to act as generators to supply energy to a dynamic brake resistor 20 to provide dynamic braking action on the car, as will also be described later.

The brake equipment for the car comprises, in addition to the structure already mentioned, a brake controlling valve device 2! for controlling supply and release of fluid under'pressure to and from a brake cylinder device 22, two identical operators brake valve devices 23, 23a adapted to be located at opposite ends of the car, two identical conductors valve devices 24, 24a also adapted to be located near opposite ends of the car, a source of fluid under pressure such as a main reservoir 25 adapted to be charged by a compressor (not shown) on the car, and a brake supply reservoir 26. The brake equipment further comprises two automatic closing trip valve devices 21, 27a located at opposite ends of thecar and connected respectively through pipes 29, 29a and check valves 28, 28m to the brake pipe 2, said check valves being located directly at the connection with said brake pipe and being arranged to permit flow of fluid under pressure in the direction from the brake pipe to said devices but to prevent flow in the opposite direction. The trip valve devices 27, 21a may be of any desired well-known type adapted to be operated by a trip (not shown) along the track for ventin fluid under pressure from the brake pipe 2 and to automatically close the vent from said brake pipe when disengaged from the track trip. The brake equipment further comprises an emergency contactor 31 connected to the brake pipe 2, a dynamic brake actuator 32 and a lock-out relay device 33.

The brake controlling device 21 comprises a bracket 34 to which the brake cylinder device 22, main reservoir 25 and supply reservoir 26 are connected by pipes 35, 36 and 31 respectively. The brake pipe 2, straight-air pipe 3 and feed valve pipe 12 are also connected to bracket 34. Mounted on and carried by the bracket 34 is a feed valve device 38, a brake cylinder pressure relay valve device 39, application and release magnet valve devices 49 and 4|, respectively, an inshot valve device 42, a lookout magnet valve device 43, an emergency valve device 44, a quick action chamber charging valve device 45, a variable load device 46, a reset magnet valve device 41, a main reservoir charging check valve device 48, a double check valve device 49, and a check valve device 39.

The feed valve device 38 may be of any conventional structure having fluid pressure connections with the main reservoir 25 and a passage 50 in the bracket 2| and adapted to operate when the main reservoir 25 is charged with fluid under pressure to supply fluid therefrom to passage 50 at a desired reduced pressure, such as 110 pounds. The passage 59 is connected to the emergency valve device 44, to the reset magnet valve device 41, to the application magnet valve device 49, to and through the casing of the main reservoir charging check valve device 48 to the feed valve pipe I2, and said passage is also connected to the check valve device 39 which comprises a check valve 51 arranged to permit flow of fluid under pressure from the feed valve passage 59 to another passage 52 in the bracket but to prevent reverse flow. The passage 52 in the bracket is connected to pipe 31 leading to the supply reservoir 26 whereby said reservoir will be normally charged with fluid of the pressure supplied by the feed valve device 38. Passage 52 also leads to the brake cylinder relay valve device 39, to the emergency valve device 44 and to the quick action charging valve device 45.

The brake cylinder pressure relay valve device 39 may be the same as that fully disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,096,491, issued to Ellis E. Hewitt on October 19, 1947, and briefly, comprises a fluid pressure supply valve 53 arranged to control communication between a chamber 54 at one side of said valve and a chamber 55 which is open by way of a passage 56 to pipe 35 and thence the brake cylinder device 22. At the opposite side of the supply valve 53 is a chamber 51 open through a choke 58 to the fluid pressure supply passage 52 and containing a spring 59 acting on said valve for urging it toward a seated position, in which it is shown in the drawing, for closing communication between the chambers 54 and 55.

The supply valve 53 is provided with an axial bore connecting chamber 51 to chamber 55 and slidably mounted in this bore is the fluted stem of a pilot valve 69 contained in chamber 51. A spring 6! in chamber 51 acts on the pilot valve 69 for urging it to a seat against the supply valve 53. With the pilot valve 69 seated fluid under pressure in passage 52 will equalize through 4 tion with the pressure of spring 59, will seat said valve. Upon unseating of the pilot valve 69 fluid will be released from chamber 51 at a rate sufliciently exceeding the rate of supply thereto by way of choke 56 to reduce the pressure in said chamber to a relative low degree to facilitate unseating of the supply valve 53.

The relay valve device further comprises a re- 7 lease valve 62 arranged to control communicathe supply valve 53 which, acting in conjunction between chamber 55 and an atmospheric release port 63. The release valve 62 is provided on one end of a stem 64 the opposite end of which is carried by a plunger 65 which is slidably mountedin a bore in the casing. Between the release valve 62 and plunger 65 the stem 64 is encircled by an annular cavity 66 which is constantly open to the exhaust passage 63. At the opposite end of plunger 65 is a chamber 61 and said plunger, the stem 64 and valve 62 are provided with an axial bore connecting said chamber to chamber 55. A pilot release valve 68 contained in chamber 55 has a fluted stem slidably extending through this axial bore into chamber 61 wherein a washer 69 secured to the stem is arranged to contact the adjacent face of plunger 65.

The supply valve 53 and the release valve 62, and therefore the respective pilot valves 69 and 68 are arranged in the casingin spaced relation and with their axes parallel with each other. A plunger 19 slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing has one end in engagement with the end of the stem of the application pilot valve 51, while a parallel arranged plunger 1| also slidably mounted in the casing has one end connected to the. release pilot valve 68. The opposite end of plunger 19 is engaged by one end of a lever 12 the opposite end of which is connected to the plunger 1|, and intermediate its ends said lever is fulcrumed on a pin 13 carried by a plunger 14 which is slidably mounted in the casing in two spaced bearings 15 and 16. Beyond the bearing 16 plunger 14 is connected to one side of a piston 11. At the plunger side of piston 11 is a chamber 18 open. to chamber 55 by way of slight clearance (not shown) around the plunger 14 in bearing 16, while at the opposite side of said piston is a control chamber 19 open to a passage in the bracket.

The operation of the relay valve device 39 is as follows: 7

When fluid under pressure is supplied to passage 89and thence .to the control chamber 19 at one side of piston 11 such pressure acting on said piston will move it in the direction of the right hand. The consequentmovement of plunger 14, will initially rock lever 12 in a clockwise direction about the pin 13 relative to the plunger 19 engaging the stem of the supply pilot valve 60 for thereby moving the release pilot valve 68 into contact with the release valve 62 followed by seating of said release valve. After the release valve 62 'is thus seated further-movement of the piston 11 will rock lever 12 in the opposite direc tion about pin 13 to unseat the pilot supply valve 60 for reducing the pressure of fluid in the supply valve chamber 51 and for then unseating the supply valve 53 to permit flow of fluid under pressure from passage 52 to chamber 55 and 'thence through passage 56 to the brake cylinder device 22 for applying the brakes on the car. As fluid under pressure is thus supplied to the brake cylinder device 22, it will equalize from chamber 55 past the bearing 16 into chamber 18 and therein act on piston 11 in opposition to the pressure of control fluid in chamber 19. When the pressure of fluid thus obtained in the brake cylinder device 22 and in chamber 18 is increased to a degree substantially equal to the control pressure in chamber I9, the pressure in chamber 78 will actuate piston 11 in a direction toward chamber 19 for thereby rocking lever 12 in a clockwise direction to permit springs 59 and BI to seat first the supply valve 53 and then the supply pilot valve 80 for terminating supply of fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder device 22 and thereby limiting the pressure of fluid in said brake cylinder device to substantially that provided in piston chamber I9. If the pressure of fluid in chamber 19 is further increased the relay valve device will operate as just described to correspondingly increase the pressure of fluid in the brake cylinder device 22. If, on the other hand, the pressure of fluid in chamber 19 is reduced in response to release of fluid under pressure from passage 80, the pressure of fluid in chamber I8 will move the piston 11 back to the position in which it is shown in the drawing. As the piston TI is thus operated it will pull the release pilot valve 88 away from its seat on the release valve 62 whereupon fluid under pressure will flow from chamber 55 into chamber 61 and in the latter chamber acting on plunger 65 will substantially balance the pressure of fluid in chamber 55 acting on the release valve 62. As the piston 'I'I moves further in the direction of chamber 19 the engagement of washer 69 with the plunger 65 will unseat the release valve 62 to permit release of fluid under pressure from chamber 55 and the brake cylinder device 22 to effect a release of brakes on the car. If the pressure of fluid in chamber 19 is not reduced to atmospheric pressure, then when the pressure of fluid in the brake cylinder device 22 and thereby in chambers 55 and 18 of the relay valve device becomes reduced to a degree slightly lower than that acting in chamber 19 the latter pressure will actuate the piston 11 to seat the pilot valve 68 against the release valve 62 and to then seat the latter valve for thereby preventing further release of fluid under pressure from said brake cylinder device 22 and said chambers and for holding therein fluid at substantially the same pressure as still efiective in piston chamber I9. Upon complete release of fluid under pressure from the piston chamber 19 the piston '57 will remain in the position in which it is shown in the drawing and in which the pilot release valve 68 and the release valve 62 are both open to permit a complete release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device 22 and from chambers 55 and 18. It will therefore be seen that the relay valve device 38 will operate to reproduce in the brake cylinder device 22 substantially the same pressure of fluid as provided in piston chamber 19.

The application magnet valve device 40 comprises a valve 8| contained in a chamber 82 open to the fluid pressure supply passage 50 and arranged to control communication between said chamber and a chamber 83 which is open through an application timing choke 84 to a passage 85 in the bracket. The application magnet valve device further comprises a magnet 80 connected to the application train wire 5 and adapted upon energization to open the valve 8I. Upon deenergization of magnet 86 a spring 81 is provided for closing the valve 8I. The passage 85 in the bracket is connected through the main reservoir charging check valve device 58 to the straight-air pipe 3 and is also connected to the lockout magnet valve device 43 and to the inshot valve device 42.

The release magnet valve device M is of the same construction as the application magnet valve device 40 and comprises a valve 88 contained in the chamber 89 and arranged to con trol communication between said chamber and a chamber 90 which is open to atmosphere through a vent passage 9|. The chamber 89 is constantly open to the bracket passage 85 and thence to the straight air pipe 3. The release magnet valve device .further comprises a magnet 92 operative upon energization to open the valve 88. A spring 93 acts on valve 88 for closing it upon deenergization of the magnet 92. The magnet 92 is connected by a wire 94 to the emergency contactor 3|.

The inshot valve device 42 comprises a selflapping valve device 95 and a delay portion 96. The self-lapping valve device comprises a. flexible diaphragm 91 clamped around its edge in the casing and subject on one side to atmospheric pressure in a chamber 98 which is open to atmosphere through a passage 99. At the opposite side of diaphragm 91 is a chamber I00. Secured centrally to diaphragm 91 is a plunger IOI extending through chamber I00 into a bore in the casing and also mounted in said bore and adjustable to a chosen position therein by an adjusting screw I03 is a plunger I 02, the two plungers MI and I02 cooperating with each other and with the casing to form a chamber I04 between them. The chamber I04 is open to a passage I05 leading to the lookout magnet valve device 43 and said passage is also open to chamber I00 through a stabilizing choke I06. The plunger I02 has a chamber I01 in constant communication with bracket passage 85 and therefore with the straight-air pipe 3 and containing a valve I08 arranged to control communication between said chamber and chamber I04 through an axial bore in said plunger, said valve being mounted on one end of a stem I09 loosely extending through said bore into chamber I04 wherein a release valve I10 is mounted on the other end of said stem. A spring III in chamber I01 acts on the valve I08 for urging it to its seated or closed position against plunger I02. The plunger IOI has an axial bore I I2 open at one end to atmosphere and open at the opposite end through a seat for the release valve IIO to chamber I04. A light spring II3 contained in chamber I04 and acting oppositely on the plungers IM and I02 is provided for maintaining the latter plunger in contact with the adjusting screw I03.

A stem H4 extending through chamber 98 is connected at one end to the diaphragm 91 and has a passage II 5 connecting the bore H2 in plunger IOI to chamber 98 and thence to atmosphere. Encircling the stem H4 is a spring H8 acting on the diaphragm 91 with a chosen force for urging it in the direction of chamber I00. The end of stem 4 opposite that connected to diaphragm 91 is slidably mounted in a bore provided in a follower I I! which engages one side of a diaphragm II8 clamped around its edge in the casing. At the side of diaphragm II8 engaged by the follower II! is a chamber II9 open to atmosphere by way of chamber 98, while at the opposite side is a pressure chamber I20 which is in constant communication with bracket passage 85 and thereby with the straight-air pipe 3. A spring I 2| contained in chamber II9 has one end bearing against the diaphragm follower II'L The opposite end of spring I2I is SuDDOIted by an adjustable seat I22 screw-threaded in the casing. The seat I22 is adjusted to provide a force of spring I2I against the follower Ill and diaphragm II8 such as to hold them in the position in which they are shown in the drawing, defined by contact of said diaphragm with the casing against'a chosen pressure of fluid, such as 35 pounds, in chamber I20'ancl to permit deflection of said diaphragm against said'spring when the pressure is increased above this chosen degree. With the diaphragm in the position in which it is shown in' the drawing the end of stem H4 is adapted to be spaced away slightly from the bottom ofthe bore in follower I H.

The inshot valve device further comprises a release check valve I23 so arranged in a communication connecting chamber I 04 to the bracket passage 85 as to permit flow of fluid under pressure from the former to the latter but to pre vent reverse flow.

The adjusting screw I03 is regulated to position the plunger I02 so that the supply valve I08 will be closed, as well as the release valve IIO,

when the diaphragm 91 assumes a position against spring II6 corresponding to a certan pressure of fluid in chamber I00, such as ten pounds. With chamber I void of fluid under pressure the diaphragm 91 will be deflected by spring II6 to unseat the supply valve I08.

In operation, assuming that fluid under pressure is supplied to the bracket passage 85 and thence to chamber III in the plunger I02, fluid will flow from said chamber past the valve I08 to chamber I04 and then through passage I05 to the lockout magnet valve device 43 and also through choke l06'into diaphragm chamber I00 wherein such pressure acting on diaphragm 9'! will deflect it against spring II6 relative to diaphragm II8. As the diaphragm 91 is thus deflected the supply valve I08 will move with it under the pressure of spring III, such movement being relative to the plunger I02, until eventually said valve becomes seated on said plunger to prevent further flow of fluid under pressure from the bracket passage '85 to passage I05, whereby the pressure of fluid in the latter passage will be limited to the chosen degree of 10 pounds hereinafter referred to as the inshot, as determined bythe pressure of spring H6 and the adjusted position of plunger I02. As the self-lapping valve device 95 operates as just described to pro vide a limited pressure of fluid in passage I05 upon supply of fluid under pressure to passage 85, the pressure in the latter passage will also become effective in chamber I above the diaphragm II8 but said diaphragm will remain in the position in which it is shown in the drawing until this pressure is increased to a chosen higher degree, such as 35 pounds, required to overcome spring I2I, after which said diaphragm will move against said spring in accordance with further increase in such pressure. As the diaphragm I I8 thus moves the follower II! will be moved into contact with and then act through 'stem II4 on the diaphragm 91, supplementing the forceof spring H6, and thereby actuate diaphragm 97 to unseat the supply valve I08 from the plunger excess of the pressure of spring PM on diaphragm II8, said pressure acting on diaphragm 91 will deflect it to permit seating of the supply valve III to thereby limit the increase in pressure in passage I05, over the ten pounds inshot initially permitted by spring II6 by itself, to a degree equal to the increase in pressure of fluid in chamber I20 over that required to deflect diaphragm II8 against spring I 2I. Thus if the pressure required'in chamber I20 to overcome spring I2I is for example 35 pounds and such pressure is increased to pounds a corresponding increase in pressure will occur in passage I05, or from ten to twenty pounds. Thus regardless of the increase of pressure in chamber I20 over the 35 pound pressure above mentioned, a corresponding increase will occur in passage I05. Upon release of fluid under pressure from passage 85 and diaphragm chamber I20 fluid will also be released from passage I05 and diaphragm chamber I00 by way of the check valve I23 and thence through passage 85.

The lockout magnet valve device 43 comprises a casing having a'chamber I24 open by way of a passage I25 in the bracket to the double check valve'device 49 and containing two oppositely seating poppet valves I26 and I2! which are coaxially aligned and arranged for movement in unison. The valve I26 is arranged to control communication between chamber I24 and a chamber I28 which is open to passage I05, while valve I21 is arranged to control communication between chamber I24 and a chamber I29 which is open to passage '85. The lockout magnet valve device further comprises a magnet I30 operative upon energization to open the valve deenergization of magnet I30.

I02 to permit further flow of fluid under pressure a from passage 85 to passage I05. The pressure of fluid thus obtained in passage I05 will become effective through choke I06 in chamber I00 on .ly void of fluid under pressure.

The emergency valve device 44 comprises a casing containing an emergency piston I35 at one sideof which is a chamber I36 open through an aircleaner I37 and a passage I38 to brake pipe 2. At the opposite side of piston I35 is a valve chamber I39 open by way of a passage I40 to a quick action chamber MI and containing a main slide valve I42 and an auxiliary slide valve I43 mountedon the main slide valve. The piston I35 is provided with a stem I44 extending through chamber I39 and having a notch in which the auxiliary slide valve I43 is mounted for move- .ment with said piston. The main slidevalve I42 is loosely mounted between ashoulder I45 on the piston and a shoulder I46 provided near the end of stem I44, and slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the end of said stem and normally projected by a spring M1 to a position slightly beyond the shoulder I46 is a plunger I48. 7

The emergency valve device further comprises a flexible diaphragm I 49 clamped around its edge in the casing, and between one side of said diaphragmand the main slide valve I42 is interposed a seating pin I50. One side of diaphragm I49 is subject to pressure of fluid in the valve chamber I39 while at the opposite side is a chamber I5I containing a spring I52 acting on the diaphragm and also normally containing fluid under pressure acting on the diaphragm along with the spring to hold the slide valve I42 against its seat when valve chamber I39 is substantial- Fluid under pressure is supplied to the chamber I5I from a passage I53 which is connected to the fluid pressure :supply passage 52 in the bracket. Passage I53 also opens at the seat for the main slide valve I42.

The emergency valve device further comprises a brake pipe vent valve device comprising a vent valve I55 arranged to cooperate with a seat I56 for controlling communication between a chamber I51 open to the interior of said seat and a passage I58 open to the exterior of said seat. The passage I58 is connected to the brake pipe 2 and through the air cleaner I31 to the emergency piston chamber I36, while chamber I51 is open to atmosphere through a vent passage I59. The vent valve I55 is connected to one end of a stem I55a to the opposite end of which is connected an actuating piston I60 subject on one side to atmospheric pressure in chamber I51 and on the opposite side to pressure of fluid in a chamber I6I which is open by a passage I62 to a check valve chamber I 63. A spring I64 acting on the vent valve I55 is provided for moving said valve to its closed position and for moving the actuating piston I 60 to a normal position in which these parts are shown in the drawing. In this position of piston I60 a leakage groove I 65 is opened connecting chamber I6I to the atmospheric chamber I51 to prevent accumulation of fluid pressure in the former chamber by leakage. Upon supply of fluid under pressure to chamber I6I by way of passage I62, in a manner which will be later described, the piston I60 is adapted to move from its normal position, in which it is shown in the drawing, to a position in contact with a gasket I 66 for opening the vent valve I55 and in which latter position the leakage groove I65 will be closed and a restricted port I61 will be open to piston chamber I6I. In the normal position of piston I50, it will be noted, that port I61 is disconnected from chamber I6I.

The check valve chamber I63 contains a check valve I68 and a spring I69 acting on said check valve for urging it into contact with a seat for closing communication between a passage I1I open to said check valve within said seat and chamber I63 which is open to passage I62. The pressure of spring I69 on the check valve I68 is such as to prevent unseating of said check valve by fluid in passage I1I at a pressure less than a chosen degree, such as 35 pounds. Passage :1; leads to the seat for the main slide valve The charging valve device 45 comprises a casing containing a flexible diaphragm I15 clamped around its edge in the casing and subject on one side to atmospheric pressure in a chamber I16 which is open to atmosphere through a breather port I11. At the opposite side of diaphragm I15 is a chamber I18. A poppet valve I19 contained in a chamber I80 has a fluted stem I8I arranged in coaxial relation with the diaphragm I15 and slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the easing. The valve stem I8I extends through a passage I82 into chamber I18 where its end contacts a follower I13 mounted against diaphragm I15. The valve stem I8I is fluted from the valve I19 through the passage I82 while the remainder of the stem is of cylindrical form. The chamber I18 is open to passage I82 as by way of a small port 'I8Ia to permit pressure of fluid in said chamber to vary substantially in unison with variations in pressure in passage I82. Two springs I83 contained in chamber I1 6 act through a follower I14 on diaphragm [I15 for deflecting same in a direction to open valve I19, while a bias spring 184 contained in chamber I30 acts on valve I19 101' urging it to a closed posi tion. The pressure of springs I83 is such as to require a chosen pressure of fluid in chamber I18 for deflecting diaphragm I15 against said springs, said pressure being for example thirtyfive pounds.

The valve chamber I is open through an air cleaner I85 to the bracket passage 52 connected to the supply reservoir 26. The passage I 82 is adapted to be opened past a check valve I86 to a chamber I81 connected to a passage I88 leading to the quick action chamber MI. The check valve I86 is provided to prevent flow of fluid under pressure in the direction from passage I88 to passage I82 and a light seating spring I89 contained in chamber I81 and acting on said check valve is provided for seating same.

The double check valve device 49 comprises a double check valve I90 open at one end to passage I25 from the look-out magnet valve device 43 and at the opposite end to a passage I9I connected through the bracket 34 to the seat of the main slide valve I42 in the emergency valve device 44. The double check valve I90 is. adapted to selectively operate in response to supply of fluid under pressure to either passage I25 or passage I9I, to open said passage to a passage I92 and to close communication between passage I92 and the one of the two passages I25 and I 9I containing fluid at lesser pressure.

The variable load device 46 may be the same as that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,147,347, issued to S. L. Williams on February 14, 1939, and, briefly, comprises a brake cylinder pressure limiting valve device I95, adjusting mechanism I 96 for said limiting device, and a by-pass valve device I91.

The limiting valve device I comprises a casing having a chamber I98 containing a valve I 99 which is provided with a fluted stem extending through a suitable bore in the casing into a chamber 200 at one side of a flexible diaphragm 20I which engages said stem. A bias spring 202 in chamber I98 acts on the valve I99 urging same to its seat, while a regulating spring 203 acts on the diaphragm 201 for urging the valve I99 away from its seat. A movable plunger 204 slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing has one end in engagement with spring 203, while an adjusting screw 205 projecting from the opposite end of plunger is adapted to be engaged by an arm 206 secured to a rockable shaft 201 which is rotatably carried in a bracket (not shown) formed integral with the casing. Also secured to the shaft 201 is one end of an arm 209 which at its other end is provided with a curved surface 2I0 in the form of an arc of a circle.

The adjusting mechanism I96 comprises a casing containing a strut piston 2| I having a stem 2I2 which extends through an opening to the exterior of the casing where it is operatively connected to a lever 2*I3 by a pin ZIJI. At one side of piston 2II is a chamber 2I5 connected by a passage 2I6 to the reset magnet valve device 41. At the opposite side of piston 2II through which the stem 2I2 projects is a chamber 2I8 containing a spring 2 I0 acting on piston 2H for urging it to a normal position. in which it is shown in the drawing.

An arm 220 is also secured at one end to shaft 201 while its other end is connected to one end of the lever '2I3 by a link 22I. The other end of lever 2I3 "is connected to one end of a tie rod 222 the other end of which is connected to a lever 223 intermediate its ends. One end of lever 223 is pivotally mounted on a. sprung part 224 of the car. The other end'of lever 223 is provided with a roller 225'adapted upon clockwise rotation of said lever to engage an unsprung portion of the car, such as a spring plank 226 of the car truck. The casing of the adjusting mechanism further contains a locking piston 221 at one side of which is a chamber 228 connected by a passage 229 to the strut piston chamber 215, a spring 230 being provided to act on the other side of said locking piston'to urge same to a locking position in which it is shown in the drawing.

'The piston 221 is provided with a stem 2 31 the end of which is connected to one end of a lever 232 which is fulcrumed intermediate its end on a pin 233 which may be carried by the same bracket (not shown) as shaft 201. A link 234 connected to the other end of lever 232 carries a friction locking element, such as a roller 235, at its opposite end, said roller being disposed between the curved surface 210 on arm 209 and a surface 236 provided on a lug 231a projecting from the casing, the surface 236 being so arranged with respect to the curved surface 210 that roller 235 will act as a wedge between said surfaces to lock the arm 209 in an adjusted posi tion.

The by-pass valve device 191 comprises a piston 231 at one side of which is a chamber 238 open to a passage 239 connected to diaphragm chamber 200 and also to passage 80 in the bracket leading to the relay valve device 39. At the opposite side of piston 231 is an atmospheric chamber 240 containing an adjustable spring 241 which acts on said piston for urging it to a normal position in which it is shown in the drawing. The piston 231 is provided with a pin 242 extending through an opening in the easing into a chamber 243 wherein said pin engages and normally holds unseated a valve 244 which is subject to the opposing pressure of a bias spring 245 acting to seat said valve. The chamber 243 containing valve 244 is open to a passage 246 connected to valve chamber 198 in the limiting valve device 195 and also connected to the bracket passage 192 leading to the double check valve device 49.

The variable load device 46 is adjustable for limiting the degree of an emergency application of brakes on the car in accordance with the car load, and for controlling adjustment thereof the reset magnet valve device 41 is provided.

The reset magnet valve device comprises two coaxially aligned oppositely seating poppet valves 241 and 248 contained in chambers 249 and 250, respectively, and having fluted stems extending in the direction of each other and meeting in an intermediate chamber 251. Chamber 250 is connected to the feed valve passage 50 in the bracket so as to be constantly supplied with fluid under pressure. Chamber 249 is open to atmosphere through a vent passage 252, while chamber 251 is connected to the bracket passage 216 leading to the strut piston chamber 215. The reset magnet valve device further comprises a magnet 253- operative upon energization to close valve 241 and. to open valve 248, while upon deenergization of said magnet a spring 254 is provided for closing valve 248 and opening valve 241. One terminal of magnet 253 may be grounded while the other terminal may be connected to a fixed contact 255 of a switch device having another fixed contact 256 adapted to be connected to any suitable source of electrical energy such as the electric supply wire 9. A movable contact 251 is provided for electrically connecting the fixed contacts 255 and 256. The movable contact 251 may be controlled by a door on the car, such door be- 12 7 ing indicated by the reference numeral 253, in such a manner that the contact 251 will electrically connect the fixed contacts 255 and 256 only when the car door 258 is open.

Adjustment of the variable load device 46 for limiting the degree of an emergency application of brakes on the car is effected in the following manner.

When the car door 258 is opened causing energization of magnet 253 and thereby closing of valve 241 and opening of valve 248, fluid under pressure from the feed valve passage 50 will flow past the latter valve to chamber 251 and thence through bracket passage 216 to the strut piston chamber 215 and from the latter chamber through passage 229 to the locking piston chamber 228. Fluid under pressure thus supplied to the strut piston chamber 215 will move said piston outwardly against spring 219 into engagement with a shoulder 259 in the casing and there by rotate lever 213 about its fulcrum connection with link 221 until the roller 225 engages the truck spring plank 226. When sufficient pressure has been built up in chamber 228 on the locking piston 221 to overcome the opposing force of spring 230 said piston will move against said spring and actuate lever 232 to move roller 235 out of locking engagement with surfaces 236 and 210. With the parts in the condition just described the limiting valve spring 203 acting through plunger 204, adjusting screw 205, arms 206 and 220, link 221, lever 213, link 222 and lever 223 will hold the roller 225 against the truck spring plank 226, this being the condition of last adjustment of these parts to a change in load. Now if the load on the car is increased, the body of the car will sink toward the spring plank 226 and thereby operate lever 223 to turn the shaft 201 in a clockwise direction for operating arm 206 to move the plunger 204 inwardly and compress or increase the pressure of the limiting valve spring 203. In case there is a reduction in the load carried by the car and the car body moves away from the truck spring plank 226 the limiting valve spring 203 will expand in order to maintain roller 225 in engagement with the spring plank 226 and in so doing the pressure of said spring will be reduced. In other words the pressure of the limiting valve spring 203 will be increased in accordance with an increase in car load and reduced in proportion to a reduction in car load and it will be noted that since the arm 209 is secured to shaft 201 its position will also change according to the change in car load.

After a change in car load has been efiected the closing of the car door 258 will effect deenergization magnet 253 and thereby'closing of valve 248 and opening of valve 241 whereupon fluid under pressure will be released from the strut piston chamber 215 and also from the looking piston chamber 228. The pressure of spring 230 on the locking piston 221 is such that it will cause said piston to respond to reduction in pressure in chamber 228 before the strut piston 211 can move upon reducing the pressure in chamber 215, as a result of which, the locking piston 221 will be actuated to draw the locking roller 235 into locking engagement with the surfaces 236 and 211] before the strut piston 211 is able to move away from the shoulder 259. Then when the pressure in the strut piston chamber 215 is reduced sufficiently, the pressure of spring 2!!! will return the strut piston to its normal position in'which it is shown in the drawing, and

during suchmovement said piston will operate the stem 2l2, lever 213, tie rod 222 and lever 223 to lift the roller 225 out of contact with the truck spring plank 226.

With the roller 235 in looking engagement with surfaces 236 and 210 and the strut piston 2H returned to its normal position as above described the position of the plunger 204 and and thereby adjustment of the pressure limiting spring 203 will be maintained until subsequent opening of door 258 and possible change in car load requiring a change in such adjustment.

The main reservoir charging check valve device 48 comprises two check valves 260 arranged in a communication between the straight-air pipe 3 and feed valve passage 50 for permitting flow of fluid under pressure in the direction to said passage under conditions to be later described. A spring 261 acts on one of the check valves 260 for urging it to its closed position.

The two brake valve devices 23, 23a are identical in construction and operation in view of which only one is shown in the drawing in section and will now be described.

The brake valve device 23 comprises a casing embodying an electric contact portion 265 and a pneumatic portion 266 arranged with the electric portion mounted on top of the pneumatic portion and through both of these portions there extends an operating shaft 26! adapted to be connected at an end outside of the casing to a removable operators handle 268 having release, running, full service, emergency and handle-off positions arranged in the order named for countel-clockwise rotation of said handle, as shown in the development view in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the space between the running and full service positions constituting a service brake application zone.

The electricportion 265 of the operators brake valve may comprise four fixed contacts 269, 210, 21 I and 212 (Fig. 4) connected respectively to the dynamic brake wire 8, to the electric supply wire 9 and to wires 213 and 214., the wire 213 extending between the two brake valve devices 23, 23a. The electric portion may further com prise a drum 215 having a pair of movable contacts 216 and 211, the contact 216 being arranged for contact with fixed contacts 270, 21! and 212 in all positions of the brake valve handle 268 except handle-off position. The contact 211 is adapted to be connected and supply electric current to the fixed contact 269 from a position slightly out of running position to a position intermediate the full service and emergency positions, such supply of electric current being derived from a suitable source such as the supply wire 9 via contact 210 for the purpose of illustration in the present application.

The pneumatic portion 266 of the operators brake valve device 23 comprises at one side of the shaft 26'! extending therethrough, a selflapping straight-air control valve device 280, a

cut-orf valve device 28!, a s-traight-airrelease valve device 282, a master switch device 283 and a limp in check valve device 288, the brake valve shaft 26! being provided with cams 285, 285 and 28'! for controlling the devices 280, 281 and 282, respectively. At the opposite side of shaft 25'? there is an emergency valve device 288, an emergency application release 'valve device 289, a suppression valve device 290, and a brake pipe vent valve device 278, said shaft being provided with cams 29l, 292 and 293 for controlling operation of the devices 288 to 290, respectively.

The self-lappin straight-air control valve device 280 is substantially the same in structure as the valve device associated with the inshot valve device 42 and, briefly, comprises a casing containing a diaphragm 294 to the center of which is connected a plunger 2'95 extending throu h a chamber 296 at one side of the diaphragm and into one end of a bore in the casing. Also slidably mounted in this bore is a second plunger 291 arranged for operation by the cam 285. The plunger 29'! is provided interiorly with a chamber 298 constantly open to a passage 299 extending through the casing and connected to feed valve pipe 12. A supply valve 300 contained in chamber 298 is arranged to control communication between said chamber and a chamber 3!" formed between the adjacent ends of plungers 295 and 291 by Way of an axial bore in the latter plunger. The valve 300 is mounted on one end of a stem 302 loosely extending through the axial bore just mentioned into chamber 30l wherein a release valve 303 is connected to the opposite end of the stem and arranged to cooperate with a seat on plunger 295 for controlling communication between chamber 30l and an axial bore 304 in plunger 295 which opens to a chamber 305 at the side of diaphragm 294 opposite chamber 296. Chamber 305 is in constant communication with atmosphere through a passage 306. A bias spring 30'! contained in chamber 298 acts on the supply valve 300 for urging it to its seat. A spring 309 in chamber 304 supported at one end on plunger 295 bears against the plunger 29! for urging it to against the cam 285. Chambers 30! and 296 are in communication one with the other through a stabilizing choke 309. A control spring 3") in chamber 305 bears against diaphragm 294 in opposition to pressure of fluid in chamber 296, said spring being supported at the end opposite to said diaphragm on a seat 3| I carried by an adjusting screw 3 I 2.

The cam 295 is so designed that the plunger 29'! will assume a normal or brake release position, in which it is shown in the drawing, in the release, running and handle-on positions of the handle 268 and, as shown in Fig. 4, is provided with a sloping surface 285a; arran d to effect gradual displacement of the plunger 281! into the respective casing 4 in proportion to movement of the operators control handle 268 from running position toward full service position. The position of plunger 29'! in emergency position of the operators control lever 266 is immaterial but as will be apparent from Fig. 4 of the drawing s'aid plunger will be displaced to some degree from normal position, this being incident to the design of cam.

With the operators control handle 268 in the release or runnin position the adjusting screw 3| 2 will be so regulated that the pressure of spring 308 will hold the plunger 29! against the cam 285 and will also move the diaphragm 294 and thereby the plunger 295 to a position against spring 3l0 in which the release valve 333 is just opened. When the operators control lever 268 is in full service position the self-lapping valve device 280 will provide in chamber 30] a chosen maximum degree of pressure, such as 67 pounds, for effecting an electro-pneumatic or a purely pneumatic application of the brakes on the car, as will be described hereinafter.

Thecut-off valve device 28! comprises a check valve 3! 3 contained in a chamber 314 which is open to a passage 3| 5, a spring 3'16 acting on said check valve for urging it into contact with a seat 3!1 for closing communication between chamber 3!4 and a passage 3!!! leading to chamber 38! in the self-lapping straight-air control valve device 288. The check valve 3 3 i provided with a stem 3l9 projecting through a suitable bore in the casing for operation by cam 286, said cam being so designed as to permit seating of said valve against its seat 3!1 only in the full service,

emergency and handle-off positions of the operators control lever 268, it being apparent therefore that in all other positions of said lever, said valve will be unseated.

The straight-air release valve device 282 is structurally the same as the cut-off valve device 28! and briefly comprises a check valve 32! contained in a chamber 322 open by way of a passage 323 to the straight-air pipe 3 and arranged to cooperate with a seat 324 for closing communi cation between said chamber and a release passage 325 which may be open to atmosphere by way of a cavity 326 within the brake valve device and a passage 326a. A spring 321 acts on the valve 32! for urging it into contact with seat 324. The valve 32! is provided with a stem 328 extending through a bore in the casing for engagement by cam 281. The cam 281 is so designed as to open the check valve 32! only in release position of the operators control lever 268. In all other positions of the lever 268 the check valve 32! will be seated.

The master switch device 283 comprises a flexible diaphragm 332 clamped around its edge in the casing and open at one side to a chamber 333 connected to passage 323 and thereby to the straight-air pipe 3, while at the opposite side of the diaphragm is a chamber 334 open through a passage 335 to passage 3!8 connected to chamber 38! in the self-lapping straight-air application valve device 288. to the diaphragm 332 'is a stem 335 slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing and extending into a switch contact chamber 336 wherein it is pivotally connected by a link 331 to a movable contact 338. The contact 338 is pivoted at one end on a pin 339 and at the opposite end is provided with an electric contact 348 connected to wire 214 leading to the contact portion 265 of the brake valve device. At one side of the contact arm 338 is a release contact arm 34! pivoted on a pin 342 and provided at one end with a release contact 343 arranged for contact by the contact 348 on the arm 338. A spring 344 Secured centrally at one end 18 vided with a stop 352 for engagement with the follower 35! in this position of the contact arms. The limp in check valve device 284 comprises two check valves 355 and 356 contained in chambers 351 and 358 open to passages 3!5 and 323, respectively. The check valve 355 is arranged to cooperate with a seat 359 for closing communication between chamber 351 and passage 323 leading to the straight-air pipe 3, while the check valve 356 is arranged to cooperate with a seat 368 for closing communication between passage 323 and passage 3!5. A spring 36! acts on the check valve 356 for urging it into contact with its'seat 368 with a force so related to the pressure of spring 358 on diaphragm 332 in the master switch device 283 as to permit deflection of said diaphragm against spring 358 with a slightly less diflerential in opposing fluid pressures in chambers 334 and 333 than the differential in pressures in passages 3l5 and 323 required to unseat the check valve 356 against spring 36!.

The brake valve emergency valve device 288 comprises a valve piston 364 arranged to cooperate with a seat at one side for closing communication between a passage 365 open to the brake pipe 2 and a chamber 366 which is open to atmosphere as by way of a passage 361. At the opposite side of valve piston 364 is a chamber 368 connected through a restricted port 369 to the brake pipe passage 365 and containing a spring 310 acting on said valve piston for urging it to its closed position. The valve piston 364 is provided with an axial bore in which is slidably mounted a fluted stem 31! extending from a poppet valve 312 contained in chamber 368 and which when unseated is adapted to release fluid The application contact 349 is connected to the application train wire 5. The release contact 343 in the brake valve device 23 is connected by wire 1 to the emergency contactor device 3! while the corresponding contact in the brake valve device 23a at the opposite end of the car is connected by wire 1a to the emergency contactor device 3!, for reasons which will be hereinafter brought out. A bias spring 358 contained in diaphragm chamber 333 acts through a follower 35! on plunger 335 for urging the diaphragm 332 and thereby the contact arm 338 into contact with the release contact arm 34!, the casing being prounder pressure from said chamber at a rate exceeding the rate of supply through choke 369 for thereby reducing the seating pressure on said valve piston. A spring 313 acts on the pilot valve 312 for urging it to its seat. A pin 314 slidably mounted in a suitable bore in the casing operatively connects the pilot valve stem 31! to the cam 29!, said cam being so designed as to actuate pin 314 to unseat the pilot valve 312 and then contact the Valve piston 364 for unseating same only in emergency position of the operator's control handle 268. In all other positions of the handle 268 the valve piston 364 and the pilot valve 312 are both adapted to be seated.

The emergency application release valve device 289- comprises a check valve 316 contained in a chamber 311 and arranged to cooperate with a valve seat 318 for controlling communication between said chamber and passage 365 which is open to the brake pipe. The check valve 316 is provided with a stem 319 extending through a suitable bore in the easing into alignment with the cam 292 and said cam is so designed as to effect unseating of said check valve only in full service position of the operators control handle 268. The check valve chamber 311 contains a spring 388 acting on check valve 316 for urging it to its seat 318 and said chamber is open through apassage 38! to a'chamber 382 containing a check valve 383 arranged to'cooperate with a seat 384 for preventing flow of fluid under pressure from chamber 382 to passage 299 lead.- ing to the feed valve pipe I2 but to permit flow of fluid under pressure in the opposite direction. A bias spring 385 acts on the check valve 383 for urging it into contact with seat 384.

The suppression valve device 298 comprises a check valve 386 contained in a chamber 381 and arranged to cooperate with a seat 388 for controlling communication between said chamber and a passage 389 leading to the power controller handle device [6. The check valve 385 is provided with a stem 390 extending through a suitable bore in the casing for operation by cam 293, said cam being operative to hold said check valve open in the release and running positions of the operators control valve handle 268 and to a chosen position between the running and full service positions of said handle corresponding to a certain safe degree of brake application on the car. In all other positions of handle 268 the check valve 386 is adapted to be seated under the pressure of a spring 395.

The passage 389- is open to a chamber 392 in the safety control handle device is which chamber contains a check valve 393 arranged to control communication between chamber 392 and a vent passage 394 which leads to atmosphere. A spring 395 contained in chamber 392 acts on the check valve 393 for urging it to its closed position. Below the check valve 393 a lever 396 fulcrumed in the casing has one end arranged for engagement with a stem 39'! projecting from the check valve 333 for unseating said valve. A pin 393 is provided for operation by a spring 394 to actuate the lever 396 to unseat the valve 393, but during propulsion of the car the pin 338 is adapted to be held out of contact with lever 396 by depression of a safety control handle 43!! about a fulcrum pin 4M. Upon release of handle 4% the spring 399 is adapted to actuate the lever 336 as just mentioned.

Chamber 38'! in the suppression valve device 290 is connected by a passage 452 to the vent valve device 218 which comprises a valve piston 404 arranged to cooperate with a seat 485 for controlling communication between the brake pipe passage 355 and a vent port 466 at one side of said piston. At the opposite side of the valve piston 404 is a chamber 44'! in constant communication with passage 442 and open through a restricted charged port 458 to a brake pipe passage 365. A spring 449 contained in chamher 401 acts on the valve piston 494 for urging it to the seat 405.

Passage 402 is also connected to a pipe 4H] leading to the respective conductors valve device 24 which comprises a check valve 4!! arranged to cooperate with a seat 4| 2 for controlling communication between said pipe and an atmospheric vent passage M3. A spring 4! acts on the check valve 4!! for urging it to its seat 412. The check valve is provided with a pin 4l5 extending therefrom into contact with a lever 4!6 fulcrumed at one end on a pin 41!, the other end of the lever being arranged for contact by the cam end MB of an operators lever 4l9 which is fulcrumed on a pin 42!), said cam end being so designed that upon movement of the operators lever M9 in either direction from a normal position in which it is shown in the drawing the lever He will be operated to open the valve 4! I.

The conductors valve device 24a is identical to the conductors valve device 24 and connected to the brake valve device 23a in the same manner.

The brake pipe contactor device 3! comprises a cylinder containing a piston 42! subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a chamber 422 which is connected to the brake pipe 2, and subject on the opposite side to the opposing pressure of a spring 423, said spring exerting a force on the piston 42! such as to require a chosen pressure in the brake pipe 2, such as 90 pounds to move said piston against said spring. Projecting from the piston 42! to the exterior of the casing is a rod 424a carrying four electrical contacts 424, 425, 425 and 427. The contact 424 is provided for establishing an electrical connection to the application wire 5 from wire 213, connected to the electric control portion 285 of the operators brake valve devices 23, 23a, when pressure of fluid in the brake pipe 2 is below the chosen pressure of 90 pounds above mentioned. When the pressure in the brake pipe 2 is in excess of this chosen pressure the contact 424 is adapted to break the electrical connection between wire 213 and the application wire 5. The movable contact 425 is arranged to connect the release magnet wire 94 to wire '!a leading to the brake valve device 23a at one end of the car when the brake pipe pressure is in excess of the chosen degree above mentioned and this connection is arranged to be broken when the brake pipe pressure is less than said chosen degree. The movable contact 426 is provided for connecting wire from the brake valve device 23 at the opposite end of the car to the wire la. when the brake pipe pressure is in excess of the chosen degree above mentioned, it being thus seen that when the brake pipe pressure is in excess of the chosen degree the release magnet 92 will be connected to both of the operators brake valve devices 23, 23a, and when at a lower degree said magnet will be disconnected from both of said brake valve devices. The movable contact 42'! is arranged to electrically connect the dynamic train wire 8 to awire 430 when thebrake pipe pressure is in excess of the chosen degree above mentioned and to break such connection when less than said chosen degree.

Wire 4-30 is connected to a magnet coil 43! of the lookout relay device 33. The lockout relay device 33 further comprises a contact 432 operative upon energizati-on of the magnet coil 43! to electrically connect a wire 433 from one terminal of the dynamic brake resistor 24 to a wire 434 connected to one terminal of magnet I39 of the lockout magnet valve device 43. The other terminal of the magnet we is connected to a wire 435. The dynamic brake resistor comprises a resistance 43! and a rheostat arm 436 adapted to be adjusted across said resistanceand connected to a wire 438. For the purpose of illustrating a simple dynamic brake circuit, the two wires 435 and 433 may be connected across the propulsion motors l5. I6, l"! and IS in such a manner that with contact 432 of the lockout relay device 33 electrically connecting wires 433 and 434, said motors will act as generators to provide dynamic braking of the car. The degree of such braking is adapted to be varied by adjustment of the rheostat arm 433 with respect to the resistance 43!,

l and the magnet E39 of the lockout magnet device and to this end comprises a cylinder containing a piston 439 subject on one side to pressure of 19 fluid'in the straight-air pipe 3 and on the pposite side to pressure of a spring 440.

Initial charging of the brake equipment to the feed valve device 38 and through same to passage 58 in the bracket 34 and will'so continue until the pressure in said pass-age is built up to the desired degree determined by adjustment of said feed valve device, which may be such as to limit the pressure of fluid in said passage to, for example, 110 pounds. As fluid under pressure is thus supplied to the feed valve passage 50 in the pipe bracket it will flow into the supply valve chamber 250 of the reset magnet device 41 the magnet of which may be assumed to be deenergized so that the supply valve 243 will be closed. Fluid will also flow from passage 50 to valve chamber 82 in the application magnet valve device 4|] the magnet 86 of which will be deenergized with the brake valve device 23, 23a in handle-off position so that valve 8| will be seated. From passage 50 fluid under pressure will also flow to the feed valve pipe I2 connected to the two brake valve devices 23 and 23a.

At each of the brake valve devices fluid under pressure will flow from pipe I2 into passage 299 and thence past check valve 383 and through passage 38I into valve chamber 311 of the emergency application release valve device; the valve 316 of which is at this timed closed. Fluid under pressure supplied to passage 299 will also flow into the supply valve chamber 298 of the selflapping straight-air application control valve device 280, the supply valve 300 in said chamber being closed at this time.

Fluid under pressure supplied to passage 50 in the bracket 26 will also flow to the seat of the main slide valve I42 of the emergency valve device 44. The emergency piston I35 and the slide valves I42 and I43 will at this time be assumed to be in emergency position defined by engagement of said piston with a gasket 44I due to previous venting of the brake pipe 2 upon removal of the brake valve handle 268 as will be later brought supply fluid under pressure to the quick acting chamber MI and slide valve chamber I39 until such pressure efiective past the valve stem I8I of the charging valve device 45 in diaphragm chamber I18 becomes increased to a degree sufflcient to overcome the opposing force of springs I83 whereupon the diaphragm I15 will deflect against said springs and permit closing of valve I19 by spring I84. The charging valve device 45 will thus operate to cut off the supply of fluid under pressure to the quick action chamber MI and the slide valve chamber I39 when the pressure in said chambers is increased to a chosen degree, such as 35 pounds.

In emergency position of the main slide valve I42 the valve chamber I39 will be connected past the left-hand end of said'valve to passage I1I leading to the seated side of check valve I68 but the spring I69 acts on said check valve with such force as to hold said valve seated against the 35 pounds'pressure obtained in chamber I39 by operation of the charging valve device 45.

With the emergency slide valve I42 in emergency position, as above described, passage I53 will be open through a port 442 and a cavity 443 in said valve to passage I9I whereby as fluid under pressure is supplied to the former passage past the check valve 5I such fluid will flow to passage I9I and thence to the lower end of the double check valve I 90. Passage I25 open to the opposite end of the double check valve I90 will at this time be at atmospheric pressure, as a result of which the double check valve I9I! will be moved to its upper position for opening communication between passages I9I and I92, whereupon fluid under pressure from the former passage will flow to the latter and thence past the by-pass valve 244 in the variable load device-46 and through passage 239 to piston chamber 19 in the relay valve device 39. The relay valve device Will thereby be operated, as above described, to supply fluid to the brake cylinder device 23 at a pressure corresponding to that provided in piston chamber 19 for applying the brakes on the car.

After the brake equipment has become charged to a pressure such as that at'which valve I19 in the charging valve device 45 is closed, the operator may operate the brake valve handle 268 at the brake valve device 23 or 23a, to which it has been applied, from the handle-off position to the full service position in which the contact 216 in the respective electric contact portion 265 out, and in this position the end of passage 50 will i be lapped by the main slide valve I42.

As fluid under pressure is supplied to the feed valve passage 50 in the bracket 34, as just described, it will also flow past the ball check valve 5| to passage 52 and thence to the supply valve chamber 54 in the relay valve device 39, to the supply reservoir 26, through branch passage I53 to the seat of the main slide valve I42 of the emergency valve device 44 and to valve chamber I80 in the charging valve device 45. The valve I19 in the charging valve device will at this time be open by springs I83 so that fluid supplied to chamber I80 will flow past said valve to passage I82 and thence past the check valve I86 to passage I88 and the quick action chamber MI and from said chamber through passage I40 to the emergency valve chamber I39 wherein such pressure will increase to hold the piston I35 in its emergency position along with the main slide valve I42 and auxiliary slide valve I43. The charging valve device 45 will thus continue to connects the electric supply wire 9 to wire 214 leading to the master switch portion 283 of the respective brake valve device and to wire 213 extending between the brake devices at the opposite ends of the car, it being noted the brake valve device to which handle 268 is not applied is still in handle-off position disconnecting therein the wires 8, 9, 213 and 214. The wire 213 is connected at this time by contact 424 in the emergency contactor device 3| to. the application train wire 5 and thence to magnet 86 of the application magnet device 40 whereby said magnet will become energized and operate to open supply valve 8|, upon movement of the bra ke valve device to full service position with consequent supply of electric current to wire 213 With the application magnet valve 8I thus open fluid under pressure will flow from the feed valve passage 50 in the bracket 34 to chamber 83 and thence through choke 84 to passage 85 and to the straight-air-pipe 3. The lockout magnet device 43 is at this time deenergized so that fluid under pressure supplied by the application magnet valve device to passage 35 will also flow past the open valve I21 in said lockout magnet device to passage I25 and thence to the upper end of the double check valve I99, the lower end of said double check valve being subject at this time to pressure of fluid provided through passage I9I from the emergency valve device 44.

Operation of the brake valve handle 268 to full service position at the selected control station on the car will cause cam 285 to displace plunger 261 in the direction of diaphragm 294 and relative to said diaphragm due to the opposing pressure thereon of regulating spring 3H1. As a result, the release valve 393 will seat followed by plunger 291 moving out of contact with the supply valve 309 whereupon fluid under pressure from the fluid pressure supply or feed valve passage 299 will flow to chamber 30! and thence through passage 3I8 to the seated side of the cutcif valve 3I3, which at this time is closed, and also from passage 3I8 through passage 335 to diaphragm chamber 334 in the master switch device 283.

As fluid under pressure is thus supplied to pas sage 3I8 and to chamber 334 such pressure will become effective through choke 399 in chamber 296 in the self-lapping straighten control valve device 269 to oppose the pressure of control spring (H9 and will move the diaphragm 294 against said spring in accordance with the increase in pressure in chamber 296. As the diaphragm 294 thus deflects against control spring 3|!) the supply valve 399 will be gradually moved toward its seat by spring 391 and finally will become seated when the pressure in diaphragm chamber 296, and thereby in the connected passage SH; and chamber 334, becomes increased to a degree sufficient to counterbalance the pressure of spring 3|!l. In full service position of the brake valve handle 268 a maximum pressure, such as sixty-seven pounds, will be thus obtained in diaphragm chamber 296 and the connected chamber 334 of the respective master switch device 283.

Chamber 333 at the opposite side of diaphragm 332 of the master switch device being open to the straight-air pipe 3 Will be supplied with fluid under pressure upon energization of the magnet 86 of the application magnet valve device 40 to charge said pipe as above described, and this pressure may be increased to a degree (110 pounds as supplied by the feed valve device 38) exceeding that provided in chamber 334 at the opposite side of the diaphragm by movement of the brake valve handle 268 to full service position whereby the diaphragm 332 will be deflected to move the contact 349 into engagement with contact 343 for thereby connecting wire 214, at this time connected to the electric supply wire 9 through the contact portion 265 of the brake valve device, to either wire 1 or 1:1, as the case may be, leading to the emegrency contactor device 3I which, with the brake pipe 2 still uncharged with fluid under pressure, is in position disconnecting the wire 1 or 1a from wire 94 leading to the magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device 4i, whereby the valve 88 in said release magnet valve device will remain seated for preventing loss of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe 3.

As above mentioned, the cut-off valve 3I3 is closed upon movement of the brake valve handle 268 to full service position, the purpose being to prevent the higher pressure (110 pounds) in the straight-air pipe 3 eflective past the limp in check valve 355 in the cut-ofi valve chamber 314 becoming effective in chamber 296 of the selflapping control valve device 289 which would cause operation of said device to dissipate to atmospheric pressure in excess of that (67 pounds) called for by the brake valve handle 263 in full service position. It is also desired to point out here that at the brake valve device not having the handle 269 and which therefore is in handleoff position, the cut-oif valve 3I3 is also closed to disconnect the straight-air pipe 3 from the respective self-lapping control valve device 280 which otherwise would dissipate such pressure to atmosphere.

When the brake valve handle 268 is moved from handle-oi? to full service position and the straight-air pipe 3 is, as a result, charged with fluid at the pressure supplied by the feed valve device 38 as just described, valve 316 in the emergency application release valve device 289 is opened by the cam 292 whereupon fluid under pressure supplied from the feed valve pipe I2 past check valve 383 to the valve chamber'311 will flow past the valve 316 to passage 365 and thence to the brake pipe 2. The fluid under pressure thus supplied to the brake pipe 2 will flow therefrom to piston chamber I36 in the emergency valve device 44 and also through passage I58 and a branch I590; thereof containing a choke 411, to

the seating face of the main slide valve I42. With the main slide valve I42 in emergency position a port 444 therein containin a choke 445 opens passage IBM to a passage 446 which opens to atmosphere by way of the vent valve piston chamber I51. It will thus be seen that upon supply of fluid under pressure to the emergency piston chamber I36 from the brake pipe 2, fluid will also be released from said brake pipe through chokes 441 and 445 and thence by way of passage 446, but the flow capacity of these chokes is suchwith respect to the supply of fluid under pressure to the brake pipe as to permit the pressure in piston chamber I36 to increase to a degree sufiiciently in excess of that provided in the valve chamber I39 by the charging valve device 45, to a'ctuate piston I35 to move the slide valves I 42 and I43 to their release position in which they are shown in the drawing, and in which a restricted charging port I12 is opened to chamber I36 through which valve chamber I39 and quick action chamber I4I will become charged to the same pressure as provided in the brake pipe 2.

When the main slide valve I42 is moved to its release position upon charging of the brake pipe 2, as just described, passage I58a will be disconnected from the atmospheric passage 446 to close the vent from said brake pipe, and port 442 will be shifted to a position for disconnecting the supply reservoir passage I53 from passage I9I and the latter passage will be connected by the cavity 443 to the atmospheric passage 446, whereby fluid under pressure will be released from the lower end of the double check valve I99. Fluid from the straight-air pipe 3 supplied through passage I25 to the upper end of the double check valve I99 will then shift said double check valve to its lower position for connecting passage I25 to passage I92 whereby the brakes on the car will re main applied by pressure of fluid from the straight-air pipe.

When the brake pipe passage I58a is disconnected from the atmospheric passage 446 as the main slide valve I42 moves from its emergency position to its release position the formerpassage is opened through a cavity 448 in the slide valve 23 to the feed valve passage 50 thereby establishing via choke 441 a brake pipe charging and pressure maintaining connection from said feed valve pas- .sage to the brake pipe 2 on the car whichcommunication is independent of the brake valve device 23 or 23a in full service position.

Finally, when the pressure of fluid in brake pipe 2 is increased to a suflicient degree, such as ninety pounds, said pressure acting on piston 42| of the emergency contactor device 3| will overcome the opposing force of spring 423 and actuate the contact rod 424a to its normal position for disconnecting wire 213, supplied with'current through the contact portion 265 of the operators brake valve device 23 or 23a with the handle 268 in full service position, from the application train wire 5, whereupon the magnet 86 of the application magnet valve device 40 will be deenergized to permit closing of valve 8| and thereby the communication between the feed valve passage 50 in the while the contacts 426 and 425 will be operated to connect wires I and la. from the brake valve devices 23, 23a at opposite ends of the car to wire 94 leading to the magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device 4 I.

At this time the straight-air pipe pressure in diaphragm chamber 333 of the master switch device 283 in the brake valve device which the handle 263 is in full service position is in excess of the opposing pressure of fluid in chamber 334 provided by the respective self-lapping straightair control valve device 280, whereby the diaphragm 332 will'be-deflected to a position to electrically connect Wire 214, supplied with electric current through the contact portion 235 of the brake valve device, to wire I or 1a, as the case may be, and then through the emergency contactor to wire 94 leading to the release magnet valve device 4|. The magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device 4| will thereby be energized and open valve 88 to effect release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe.

' As fluid under pressure is thus released from the straight-air pipe 3 the pressure of fluid in chamber 333 of the master switch device 283 at the controlling brake valve device will correspondingly reduce and when this pressure becomes reduced to a degree slightly below the opposing pressure of fluid in chamber 334 the dia phragm 332 will deflect and move the contact 340 out of contact with contact 343 which will effect deenergization of the release magnet 92 and closing of the valve 88 therein for preventing further release of fluid under pressure from the straightair pipe.

As fluid under pressure is released from the straight-air pipe fluid will also be released from piston chamber 19 in the relay valve device 39 V by way of passage 89 past the by-pass valve 244 valve device will operate to correspondingly re 7 duce the pressure of fluid in the brake cylinder device 22.

It will now be seen that with the brake valve handle 268 in full service position following move-' ment thereto from handle-off position, in initial- 1y charging the brake equipment, a maximum degree of brake application will be maintained until the pressure of fluid in the brake pipe 2 is increased to a relatively high degree for actuating the emergency contactor device 3|, but with the operators control handle 286 still in full service position the brakes will still be maintained applied by pressure equal to that provided by the selflapping straight-air control valve device 280 in full service position of the handle 286.

In order to effect a complete release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device 22 and thereby a complete release of brakes on the car, preparatory to moving the car, the operator, after operation of the brake pipe contactor 3| by brake pipe pressure, will move the brake valve handle 268 from full service position to either running position or release position, Assuming that the operators control handle 269 is moved to running position the cam 285 will be so adjusted as to permit pressure of fluid in chamber 30| plus the pressure of spring 308 to move the plunger 291 in the direction away from the diaphragm 294, due to which, the release valve 303 will be pulled from its seat to open chamber 30| to atmosphere by way of chamber 305. Upon opening chamber 30| to atmosphere as just mentioned fluid under pressure will be released from diaphragm chamber 334 in the master switch device 283 to permit the straight-air pipe pressure in chamber 333 at the opposite side of diaphragm 332 to actuate the switch contact 340 into contact with the release contact 343 for thereby eflecting energization of magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device4| and opening of valve 88 therein for releasing fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe 2. Also in running position of the brake valve handle 268 the cut-off valve 3|3 will be opened to connect passage 3|5 to passage 3|8 and thence to chamber 30|, so that at the controlling brake valve device somerelease of fluid under pressure will occur from the straightair pipe past the limp in check valve 355 and thence through passage 3|5 to chamber 30| and past the release valve 295 in the self-lapping straight-air control valve device. As the pressure of fluid in chamber 30| of the self-lapping straight-air control valve device is thus reduced, a corresponding reduction will occur in diaphragm chamber 293 by way of choke 309, as a result of which, spring 3|0 will deflect the diaphragm 294 in the direction of the release valve 303 in accordance with the reduction in pressure in chamber 296, and this deflection will continue until the pressure of fluidinchambers 296, 3M and thereby in the connected straight-air pipe 3 is reduced to substantially that of atmosphere, whereupon the deflection will cease in a position in which the release valve 303 is still open. 7

As pressure of fluid in chamber 334 in the master switch device 283 is reduced to atmospheric pressure past the open release valve 303 as just described, the opposing straight-air pipe pressure in chamber 333 will be reduced past said valve as well as past the open valve 88 in the release magnet valve device 4|, and through the lookout magnet device 43 the pressure of fluid in chamber '29 of the relay valve device 39 will also become reduced to atmospheric pressure by way of the straight-air pipe 3 for permitting operation of said relay valve device to effect complete release of fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device 22 and thereby complete release of brakes on the car. i

, If'the brake valve handle 268 is moved to re- 25 lease position, instead of to running position, for effecting a release of brakes, the only difference is that the check valve 32I inthe straight-air release valve device 232 will be opened for connecting the straight-air pipe 3 directly to atmosphere by way of passage 325.

In initially charging the equipment the brake valve handle 268 may, if desired, be moved from full service position to the running or release position immediately upon the parts of the emergency valve device 44 moving to their release position and establishing therein the brake pipe charging communication by way of cavity 448 in the main emergency slide valve I42 through which the brake pipe will continue to charge up to full pressure. Then when the emergency contactor 3i operates in response to the further increase in brake pipe pressure to.

break the circuit of the application magnet 86 and make the circuit of the release magnet 92, a complete release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe 3 will occur past the open release magnet valve 88, the magnet 92 of which will be maintained energized by the master switch device 233 in the release or running position of the brake valve handle 268, and also past the limp in check valve 355, as will be apparent from the above description.

It will be noted that at the brake valve device not-having the handle 268 and which is in handle-off position chamber 334 of the master switch device will be constantly open to atmosphere through the respective self-lapping control valve device 280, while in chamber 333 open to the straight-air pipe 3 pressure will vary with that in the straight-air pipe, and the contact 340 will remain in engagement with contact 343, but this is of no consequence, since the respective contact wire 214 is not connected to the current supply wire 9 in the handle-off position.

The brake equipment is adapted to control the brakes on a car either normally on the electropneumatic principle or, in case of failure of supply of electric current or some part of the electro-pneumatic control system, such as the master switch device 263, on the purely pneumatic principle. When the electro-pneumatic system is operative the release position of the brake valve handle 25%! need not be used for releasing an application of brakes but it is provided for use in case some part of the electropneumatic system fails as just mentioned and as will hereinafter be described in detail.

Upon movement of the brake valve handle 268 out of full service position to the running position or release position it will also be noted that the cut-off valve 3E3 is held open by earn 286 while the suppression valve 386 is opened by cam 293. The opening of the suppression valve 386 connects chamber 48'! at one side of the vent valve piston 464 to passage 389 leading to the safety control handle device I6 which with handle 43!! depressed permits closing of valve 393 and charging of chamber 46! with fluid under pressure from the brake pipe passage 365 via port 468 for holding the vent valve piston 434 seated.

The safety control handle 46!) must be thus held depressed while propelling the car and when less than a chosen degree of brake application is in eiiect in order to prevent an undesired emergency application of brakes by opening of which is normally closed, said pipe will be normally charged with fluid under pressure.

From the above description it will now be seen that in initially charging the brake equipment, the emergency valve piston I and slide valves I42 and [43 will be held in emergency position by fluid under pressure supplied to valve chamber I39 by the charging valve device 45 to cause the brakes on the car to be applied. In order to effect movement of the emergency valve device 44 to its release position to obtain a release of brakes it is necessary that the brake pipe 2 be charged with fluid at a pressure exceeding that in the emergency valve chamber I39 which requires that the brake valve handle 268 be moved to full service position in which, upon movement of the emergency valve device I39 to release I position, the brakes will be stillmaintained applied by energization of the magnet 86 of the application magnet valve device 40 and cannot be released, not only until the brake valve handle 286 is moved to either running orrelease position, but also until after the emergency contactor device 3i has been operated to close the circuit to the magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device H which does not occur until the brake pipe 2 is charged to the relatively high pressure of pounds which is close to the maximum pressure of pounds provided by the feed valve device 38 and finally obtained in the brake pipe.

Even if the operator should move the handle 268 to full service position immediately upon initiating charging of the equipment, for thereby q brake pipe is substantially fully charged, as hereinbefore described. It is therefore essential that the, vent valve piston 4%, as will hereinafter be the brake valve handle 286 be held in full service position until the brake pipe pressure is increased to a degree at least suflicient to actuate the emergency valve device 44 to move to its release position following which the emergency contactor 3I must be operated before a release of brakes on the car can be obtained. In other words, in initially charging the equipment, regardless of whether the handle 268 is left in handle-off position and then moved to full service position as previously described, or is moved immediately to full service position, and regardless of whether it is moved from full service position to the running or release position prior to 01' after operation of the emergency contactor 3I, the same result occurs, that is, that the brakes on the car will be held applied until after the brake pipe pressure is increased to near its normal degree of 110 pounds to ensure safety of the car upon movement thereof.

It is however desired to point out that it is preferable, in initially charging the equipment on the car that the brake valve handle 268 be left in handle-off position at least until after closing of valve I19 in the charging valve device 45 and then be moved to full service position for charging the brake pipe 2 as above described, since by P 'so doing, less fluid under pressure will be lost byway of the vent from the brake pipe through port 445 and passage 443 in the emergency valve device 44 in emergency position thereof than if this vent; -were effective during charging from the initiation thereof ii the brake valve handle 238 were moved to full service position immediately upon initiating such charging.

Electra-pneumatic straight-air application of brakes the car, the handle 268 will be moved from the release or running position in the direction of the full service position a distance corresponding to the degree of brake application desired.

This operation of handle 238 through the medium of cam 285 will displace plunger 29! in the direction of diaphragm 294 in the respective self-lapping straight-air control valve device 233 and thereby move said plunger out of engagement with the supply valve 390. Fluid under pressure will then flow from the feed valve supply pasage 299 past the supply valve 333 to chamber 235 and thence through passage 333 to diaphragm chamber 334 of the master switch device 283. When the pressure thus obtained in chamber 333 becomes increased sufficiently it will deflect diaphragm 332 against the bias spring 350 and thereby disconnect the movable contact 343 from contact 343 connected to the release wire 1 and move said movable contact into engagement with 349 connected to the application train wire 5. As ajresult, the magnet 92 of the release magnet valve, device 4! will be deenergized permitting closing of the release valve 83 by spring 93, and the magnetBt of the application magnet valve device 43. will be energized to unseat valve 8|,

-whereupon fluid under pressure will flow from the feed valve passage 53 through the application timing choke 8 3 to the straight-air pipe 3 and thence to chamber 333 of the master switch device 283. p Fluid under pressure will be supplied to chamher 334 of the master switch device 233 as above described until the pressure of fluid in chamber 293 of the self-lapping straight-air application control valve device 283 is increased to a degree suflicient for moving diaphragm 234 against spring 3H! until the supply valve 333 becomes seated, whereby the pressure of fluid obtained in chambers 30!, 296 and diaphragm chamber 334 of the master switch device will be limited in accordance with the extent of movement of the operators control lever 268 from the running position in the direction of the full service position. When the pressure of fluid obtained in the straight-air pipe 3 and in chamber 333 of the master switch device, as above described, is then increased by way of valve 35 in the application magnet valve device 43 to substantially the same degree as acting in chamber 333 of said switch device the former pressure plus the bias force of spring 359 will deflect the diaphragm 332 for moving the movable contact 343 to a lap position through operation of the self-lapping straightair application control valve device 283 and the master switch device 283 the pressure of fluid obtained in the straight-air pipe 3 upon operation of the operators control lever 268 will be limited in accordance with the position of said lever.

If the operator desires to further increase the pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3 he will move the brake valve handle 238 further toward full service position for thereby effecting further displacement of plunger 29? in the direction of diaphragm 294 whereupon the self-lapping straight-air control valve device 233 will cause operation of the master switch device 283 and application magnet valve device 40 to effect a corresponding further increase in pressure in the straight-air pipe 3. It will thus be seen that regardless of the position to which the brake valve handle 268 is moved between the running and full service positions a corresponding pressure may be obtained in the straight-air pipe 3 and such pressure may be stepped up as desired to the full service degree or" for example 67 pounds when said. handle obtains the full service position.

In case the pressure of fluid thus provided in the straight-air pipe 3 is greater than desired and the operator desires to reduce such pressure he will move handle 258 back in the direction of running position whereupon spring 338 will move the plunger 29! in the direction of the handleoperated shaft 237, due to which, the release valve 333 will be opened by stem 382 and the seated supply valve 3530. Upon opening the release valve 303 fluid under pressure will be vented from chambers SM, 296 and chamber 334 of the master switch device 233 which will permit the opposing straight-air pipe pressure in chamber 333, plus the force of bias spring 353, to move the diaphragm 332 and thereby the movable contact 340 to the position shown in the drawing in which the magnet 83 of the application magnet valve device 43 remains deenergized while the magnet 92 of the release valve device 4| becomes energized. Energization of the latter magnet will effect opening of valve '88 for thereby releasing fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe 3 and from chamber 333 on the master switch device 283. When the pressure of fluid in chamber 333 thus becomes reduced sufliciently for the opposing pressure in chamber 334 to deflect diaphragm 332 against the bias spring 350 such deflection will pull the movable contact 340 out of contact with the contact 343 for efiecting deenergization of the magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device 4 I. 'The valve 88 in the release magnet valve device will therefore become seated by the pressure of spring 93 to prevent further release of fluid under pressure from the straightair pipe 3 and from diaphragm chamber 333 in the master switch device 283. The pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3 will thus be re-. duced in accordance with the reduction effected in chamber 334 by the change in position of the operators control handle 233, and any desired reduction in such pressure may be obtained up to a full release of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe upon proper positioning of the handle 233 toward the running position or in the running or release position in which a full release will occur.

The cut-off valve 3I3 is open from release position nearly to full service position of the brake valve handle 268, so that as said handle is operated to cause supply of fluid under pressure to the straight-air pipe 3, fluid supplied to passage 3I8 in the straight-air application control valve device 280 will flow past said valve to passage 3 I5 thence to chamber 351 above the check valve 355 and to the seated face of the check valve 350 in the limp in valve device 284. The spring 3BI acting on the check valve 353 is of such value however as to insure suflicient pressure in chamber 334 of the master switch device 283 to cause operation thereof to energize the magnet 86 of the application magnet valve device 40 for supplying fluid under pressure to the straightair pipe 3 without unseating the check valve 356, the opposite side of which is open to the straightair pipe as previously described. In other words when a service application of brakes is being effected electro-pneumatically, as being described, the check valve 356 will remain seated under pressure of spring 36I in order to insure operation of the master switch device 283 to control pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3.

Substantially coincident with supplying fluid under pressure to the straight-air pipe 3 in response to movement of the operators control handle 250 out of running position, the dynamic brake wire 8 will be connected by contacts 211, 2'l6to the current supply wire 9 and current will therefore be supplied through the dynamic brake wire, the contact 421 of the emergency contactor device 3| and wire 430 to magnet coil 43! of the lookout relay device 33. The device 33 will be thereby energized and lift the movable contact 432 to the position for electrically connecting wires 433 and 434 thereby rendering the dynamic brake including the propulsion motors I5 to la and the resistance 20 effective to brake the car, it being noted that the dynamic brake circuit may include the magnet I30 of the lockout magnet valve device 43 so as to energize said magnet by current generated by said motors when the speed of the car is in excess of a chosen low speed, such as 10 miles per hour.

Energization of magnet I30 of the lockout magnet device 43 will seat valve I 21 and open valve I26 for closing direct communication between the straight-air pipe passage 85 in the bracket and passage I25 leading to the upper end of the double check valve I90 and for opening the latter passage to passage I05 leading to the inshot valve device 42. Fluid under pressure supplied to the straight-air pipe 3 and to the bracket passage 85 in response to movement of the brake valve handle 208 toward full service position, will therefore flow from said passage initially only to the supply valve chamber I! and diaphragm chamber I20 of the inshot valve device 42. The supply valve I08 in the inshot valve device being initially open fluid will flow from the supply valve chamber I0l' past said valve to chamber I04 and thence through passage I past the open valve I28 in the lockout magnet valve device 43 to passage I25 leading to the upper end of the doublecheck valve I90. fluid under pressure will be thus supplied to the upper end of the double check valve 190 until the pressure of. such fluid acting in chamber I00 of the inshct valve device 42 becomes increased to a degree sufflcient to overcome the opposing force of spring H6, and permit diaphragm 9'! to deflect against said spring to permit movement of the supply valve I00 relative to plunger I02 until it becomes seated thereon. The pressure of spring I I6 is such as to thus permit seating of the supply valve I08 when the pressure of fluid obtained in passage I125 is increased to a chosen degree, such as 10 pounds, it being noted that at this time spring I2I acting on diaphragm II8 will prevent deflection of said diaphragm by the straight-air pressure effective in chamber I20. If, due to leakage of fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe passage past the supply valve I08, the pressure of fluid in passages I05 and I25 and thereby in diaphragm chamber I00 should tend to increase above the chosen degree above mentioned, the diaphragm 97 will be deflected by such pressure against spring IIE to open the release valve IIO for dissipating the excess pressure, whereby the pressure in said passages will be maintained at substantially the desired degree.

The fluid under pressure thus provided in pass sage I25 Will flow past the double check valve I90 to passage I92 and thence through the variable load device 46 to piston chamber 19 in the relay valve device 39 and actuate the latter device to supply fluid to the brake cylinder device 22 at a corresponding pressure of 10 pounds. This pressure of fluid provided in the brake cylinder device is merely suiflcient to fill the volume thereof and to move the usual brake shoes into contact lightly with the car wheels, so that when the pneumatic brake on the car becomes eflective to bring the car to a stop after fading out of the dynamic brake, as will be hereinafter described, there will be no undue delay or roughness of car action at the time of such transfer.

Fluid under pressure supplied to the straight-air pipe 3 will also flow to the dynamic brake actuator 32 and move the piston therein against spring 440 to adjust the amount of resistance 43! cut into the dynamic brake circuit in proportion to the pressure of fluid in said pipe. The eflectiveness of the dynamic brake can thereby be adjusted by operation of the brake valve handle 268 to provide the proper pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3.

It is intended that the dynamic brake by itself will provide any desired rate of retardation of the car for any load on the car up to and including a full seated load. If, due to standing patrons on the car, the load of the vehicle is such that the desired rate of deceleration cannot be obtained by the dynamic brake alone, then the pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3 may be increased by movement of the brake valve handle 268 further toward full service position to a degree in excess of for example 35 pounds corresponding to that necessary to provide maximum dynamic braking and also corresponding to the value of spring I2I in the inshot valve device 42, whereupon this pressure acting in chamber I20 on diaphragm II8 will overcome the opposing force of said spring and act through stem H4 in cooperation with spring H0 to deflect the diaphragm 91 in the direction of plunger I02 therein. This deflection of diaphragm 91 will open the supply valve I03 whereupon fluid under pressure from. the straight-air passage will flow past said valve to passage I05 and thence through the lookout magnet valve device 43, the double check valve I90, and the variable load device 48 to the relay valve device 39 and effect operation thereofto supply further fluid under pressure to the brake 31 cylinder device 22. Fluid under pressure will thus continue to be supplied to the brake cylinder device 22 until the pressure of fluid supplied past the supply valve I93 in the inshot valve device 42acting in chamber I03 on diaphragm 9'! becomes increased to a degree sufflcient to overcome the opposing force of spring I I6 plus the pressure of fluid in diaphgram chamber I20 in excess of that required to balance spring I2I. It will thus be seen that the pressure of fluid in chamber I03 of the inshot valve device and thereby in'the brake cylinder device 22 will not be increased to the same degree as that acting in diaphragm chamber I29 but only in accordance with the increase in such pressure over the opposing force of spring I2I. By'thus supplying additional fluid under pressure to the brake cylinder device 22 the degree of braking of the car over that provided by the dynamic brake alone may be increased sufficiently to obtain the desired rate of car deceleration.

' When the speed of the car has become reduced to for example miles per hour where the efiectiveness of the dynamic brake begins to reduce,

the magnet I30 of the lockout magnet device 43 will become deenergized which will permit spring I3I to open valve I2! and close valve I26, Whereupon' pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe passage 85 will equalize through a choke 449, past the open valve I21, through the double check valve I90 and the variable load valve device 46 into piston chamber I9 of the relay valve device 39 and operate said relay valve device to increase the'p'ressure of fluid in the brake cylinder device 22 to substantially the same degree as acting in the straight-air pipe 3 for bringing the car to a stop. At around 4 miles per hour the effectiveness of the dynamic brake will be substantially nil, and the choke 449 is provided for regulating the rate at which the pneumatic brakes becomes effective as just described in accordance with the reducing effectiveness of the dynamic brake so as to minimize car shock upon transfer of braking from dynamic to purely pneumatic.

It is not intended that the variable load device 46 will have any limiting efiect upon the degree of a service application of brakes so that except under a condition of a maximum service degree of application the check valve 244 in the by-pass valve device I9'I wil1 remain open during the application. In case of a maximum service ap plication however the check valve 244 may close under pressure of fluid acting in chamber 238 in piston 23'! just before the maximum pressure of fluid is obtained in chamber I9 of the relay valve device 39, this being due to the fact that a maximum service application is of substantially the same degree as an emergency application for the car when empty, but the closing of the check valve 244 under this service condition is not detrimental.

After the car is brought to a stop the opening of the car door 258 for effecting discharge or loading of patrons will cause energization of the magnet 253 of the reset magnet valve device 4'! and thereby operation of the variable load valve device 46 to efiect adjustment thereof according to any change in load of the vehicle as previously described. The closing of the car door 258 and consequent deenergization of magnet 253 of the reset magnet device will then cause locking of the variable load device 46 in its newly adjusted position, as hereinbefore described.

'In effecting an electro-pneumatic straight-air application of brakes as above described, as well as in effecting a purely pneumatic application as will be subsequently described, at which time the pressure of fluid in the feed valve pipe 42 may drop slightly as fluid under pressure is taken therefrom for supply to the straight-air pipe 2 etc., the check valve 383 in the brake valve device prevents flow of fluid under pressure from the brake pipe 2 to the feed valve pipe I2 thereby preventing a reduction in brake pipe pressure such as might cause undesired operation of the emergency Valve device 44 to effect an emergency application of brakes, as will be later described. In other words, the closed check valve 383 insures that the emergency valve device will remain in its normal position in which it is shown in the drawing When braking the car dynamically and by straight-air.

Release of an eZectro-pneumatic straight-airapplication of brakes In order to release an electro-pneumatic straight-air application of brakes, effected as above described, the operator will move the handle 268 back to the running position in which the supply of electric current to the dynamic brake wire 8 will be cut oil and the magnet coil 43I of the lookout relay device 33 Will become deenergized to break the dynamic brake circuit. This movement of handle 268 to run position will also effect operation of the self-lapping straight-air control valve device 289 to release fluid under pressure from diaphragm chamber 334 of the master switch device 283 and permit operation of said switch device by pressure of fluid from the straight-air pipe in chamber 333 to effect deenergization of magnet 66 of the application magnet device 40, if not already deenergized, and energization of the magnet 92 of the release magnet valve device 4I. Energization of the latter magnet will open valve 88 for thereby releasing fluid under pressure from the straightair pipe 3 and hence from chamber I9 in the relay' valve device 39 by way of the variable load device 46, past the upper end of the double check valve I99 and thence past the unseated valve I2'I in the lookout magnet device 43. This re lease of fluid under pressure from chamber I9 in the relay valve device '39 will in turn cause operation of said device to release fluid under pressure from the brake cylinder device 22 for thereby releasing the brakes on the car to permit movement thereof.

k Since the degree of dynamic brake application and subsequently of pneumatic application of brakes is proportional to pressure of fluid in the straight-air. pipe 3, it will be apparent that the degree of retardation of the car may be either increased or decreased in such steps as desired by proper positioning of the brake valve handle 268 between the running and full service positions for correspondingly varying the pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3 as above described.

Pneumatic service application of brwkes and release thereof Now assuming that due to some electrical failure, such as failure of the application or release train wires 5 or 4 or of the supply of electric current to the current supply train wire 9, it is impossible to effect a service application of brakes on the car electro-pneumatically as above described, the operator may still effect a straightair application and release of brakes on the car on the purely pneumatic principle as follows.

To effect a pneumatic straight-air application of brakes the brake valve handle 268 will be operated in the same manner as before described and the fluid under pressure supplied by the selflapping straight-air application control valve device 280 to chamber 30I will, when it is increased to a degree sufficient to unseat check valve 356 against spring 36I, flow past the open cut-off valve 3I3 and past said check valve to the straight-air pipe 3. If current is present in the supply wire 9 and the dynamic brake operates as above described, the inshot valve device 42 will also operate as previously described to limit the pressure of fluid provided in chamber 29 of the relay valve device 39 and thereby in the brake cylinder device 2 down to the chosen low speed of the car at which time the lockout magnet device 43 will become deenergized to permit supply of fluid to chamber I9 in the relay valve device 39 at the same pressure as acting in the straightair pipe 3 for thereby applying the brakes on the vehicle pneumatically. If the dynamic brake is not operative then all braking of the car will be effected pneumatically past the open valve I2'I in the lockout magnet device 43.

It will be seen in Fig. 4 that the sloping surface 285a on cam 235 extends past the full service position of handle 26B slightly in the direction of emergency position and the purpose of this is to cause such displacement of plunger 291 upon movement of handle 268 slightly past full service position that the supply valve 300 will remain open and permit equalization of fluid under pres sure from the feed valve pipe I2 into the straightair pipe 3, if necessary, to obtain a desired rate of retardation of the car when the dynamic brake is ineffective.

In order to release a pneumatic straight-air application of brakes affected as just described, the brake valve handle 268 may be returned to release position in which the straight-air release valve 32I will be opened to release fluid under pressure from the straight-air pipe II directly to atmosphere through chamber 326 in the brake valve device.

The communication including check valve 356 thus provides for applying the brakes on the car in case of failure of the electric control apparatus, while the straight-air release valve 32I provides a means for quickly releasing such an application. I

If desired, however, a release of such an application at a slower rate can be effected by merely moving the brake valve handle 268 to running position under which condition the release will occur from the straight-air pipe 3 past the check valve 355, through passage 3I5 and thence past the open cut-off valve 3I3 and the open release valve 303 in the self-lapping straight-air control valve device 200.

The degree of brake application on the car will vary in proportion to the pressure of fluid in the straight-air pipe 3 which in turn may be varied by proper positioning of the handle 268 between running and full service positions as before described. It is desired to point out however that if handle 268 is moved a certain distance toward running position for effecting a limited reduction in pressure in the straight-air pipe 3 and thereby a corresponding reduction in the degree of brake application, the fluid under pressure will be vented from the straight-air pipe past the limp in check valve 355 and thence through the selflapping control valve device 280.

The running position of the brake valve handle 266 is provided primarily for use in releasing an 34 electro-pneumatic application of brakes, as above described but, if desired, the release position could be used as now will be evident.

Emergency application of brakes.

.LI the operator desires to effect an emergency application of brakes on the car he will move the brake valve handle 263 from either release or running position, whichever it may be occupying at the time, to emergency position in which cam 232 permits closing of the emergency application release valve 316 for cutting off supply of fluid under pressure from the feed valve passage 299 to the brake pipe 2. At the same time cam 29I will act through stem 314 to unseat the pilot valve 312 in the emergency valve device 288 for releasing fluid under pressure from chamber 368 to reduce the seating pressure on the valve piston 364, following which further movement of stem 374 will engage said valve piston and unseat, it, whereupon fluid under pressure will besuddenly vented from the brake pipe 2 to atmosphere by way of chamber 366 and vent port 361.

In response to this sudden emergency reduction in pressure'in the brake pipe 2 spring 423 will actuate the piston 42I in the emergency contactor device 3| to open the circuit between the dynamic brake train wire 8 and the lockout relay device 33 for rendering the dynamic brake ineffective, to also disconnect wire 94 from the release magnet valve device M from the wires I and 7a leading to the brake valve devices 23, 23a, and for connecting the application train wire 5 to wire 273 connected through the contact portion 265 of the brake valve device at the control end of the car to the electric train wire 9. The magnet 86 of the application magnet valve device 40 will thereby be energized to open its valve 8| for permitting flow of fluid under pressure from the feed valve passage to the straight-air passage 85 and thence to the straight-air pipe 3, as well as past the unseated valve I21 in the deenergized lockout magnet valve device 43 to passage I25 leading to the upper end of the double check valve I90.

At the same time as fluid under pressure is thus supplied to the straight-air pipe 3 the emergency reduction in pressure in the brake pipe 2 effective in piston chamber I36 of the emergency valve device 44 will reduce the pressure therein at a rate sufficiently faster than pressure in valve chamber. I39 can reduce by back flow through choke I12 to the brake pipe, that a sufficient differential in pressures will be obtained on the emergency piston I35 to move it and the slide valves I42 and I43 to their emergency position defined by contact with gasket 44I. It will be noted that at the same time as the pressure of fluid in the emergency piston chamber I36 is reducing there will be flow thereto from the feed valve device 38 through cavity 448 in the main slide valve I42 until it moves out of release position, but the choke 44'! so limits this flow as to ensure the reduction required in piston chamber I36 to move the piston and slide valves to their emergency position.

In emergency position of the main slide valve I42 passage I'II will be open past the left-hand end of the main slide valve I 42 directly to the emergency valve chamber I39, whereupon fluid under pressure from said chamber and from the quick-action chamber I4I will flow through'sai'd passage and past check valve I68 to passage I62 leading to the vent valve piston chamber -I 6I. The vent valve piston I will be operated by the 

